TIPS ON PLANTING AND CARING FOR FRUIT TREES

Make sure space is right, then pick appropriate variety

When deciduous fruit trees such as peach, plum, apricot and apple lose their leaves in the winter, they become dormant. At this time of year, they can be easily planted due to this dormancy. Not only are these trees perfect additions for the season, but now is the best time to prune and care for them.

• First, consider how big you want your tree and how much space your yard allows. Most nurseries carry semi-dwarf trees, but trees vary by variety. You’ll need a minimum of eight feet between them.

• Pick your variety based on your location within the county. Your local garden center will know which fruit trees are best suited to your area’s chill hours.

• Amend the soil with an organic planting mix and mix in a starter fertilizer at the same time. Make a soil “well” around the base of the tree to hold three to four inches of water.

• Fruit trees should be planted in full sun. Once the tree begins to leaf out, feed with an organic fruit tree fertilizer every three months until late summer.

• Water deeply once every seven to 10 days. Do not keep soil constantly wet.

• In winter, once leaves have dropped, prune any dead branches, branches that cross over others, branches that grow toward the center of the tree, or any branch not growing upward in at least a 45 degree angle; these will break when fruit matures.

• Be sure to rake up dead leaves and discard in trash. There may be fungus spores or insect eggs that could harm your trees if left to compost.

• After you clean up, use a dormant copper fungicide spray, following the directions on the label.

• Do not use copper spray on apricots, as this might keep fruit from setting.

Rick Franklin is an Advanced California Certified Nursery Professional and the manager of the Armstrong Garden Center in El Cajon. Email questions for him to growingdialogue@armstronggarden.